The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have filled vacancies on their defensive staff with two internal promotions aimed at maintaining continuity in Todd Bowles’ system.
Rashad Johnson will be the new cornerbacks coach. Tim Atkins will assume the role of safety coach, after both have worked as defensive backs assistants in recent seasons. The decision confirms the team’s commitment to young coaches who are familiar with the defensive scheme and the inner workings of the locker room.
The restructuring comes after a series of significant moves following the end of the 2025 season. Bowles parted ways with defensive line coach Charlie Strong and cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross. Meanwhile, veteran Nick Rapone stepped down after retiring at age 69. The changes reflect the need to improve the performance of a defense that underperformed during a season that ended with an 8-9 record and no NFC South title, which now belongs to the Carolina Panthers. With Bowles’ job under pressure heading into 2026, the impact of these appointments will be closely watched.
Continuity and youth in the defensive staff
Tim Atkins is one of the coaches with the strongest professional ties to Bowles. He worked with him as the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets from 2016 to 2018 and then held the same role in Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, he was promoted to secondary school assistant coach, where he has worked closely with the safety group. Prior to his time with Bowles, Atkins coached in Cleveland, Buffalo, and Miami, and also served as a college assistant at Florida Atlantic. His promotion also represents a generational shift within the defensive staff.
Rashad Johnson, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the most promising young coaches in the organization. He joined Tampa Bay in 2022 as a defensive assistant and was promoted to secondary assistant in 2023, working primarily with slot cornerbacks. Under his guidance, several rookies at that position have had strong debut seasons in recent years, further solidifying his reputation within One Buccaneer Place.
A strategic change with added pressure
Beyond the continuity of the system, the move points to a possible renewal of ideas within the staff, with younger coaches bringing fresh perspectives. However, the key will be the results. With Bowles expected to maintain his defensive approach, coordination between the head coach and his new secondary coaches will be crucial.
The Buccaneers need a significant improvement on defense if they want to compete in 2026 and regain control of the division. The promotions of Atkins and Johnson reflect internal confidence in their development and understanding of the system, but they also highlight the urgency of finding quick solutions for a team facing a crucial season.
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This article was translated from it’s original form in Spanish to English via META AI.
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